Counsellor / Clinician

About this position

About Stonehenge Therapeutic Community:

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community is a leading provider of Addiction Support services in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and surrounding areas.

"We believe that every individual has the capacity to grow and contribute to society"

Role Type: Contract (until approx May 2020). 4 days per week (Sun-Wed or Wed to Sat, 11am-7pm)

About the Role:

Specialized Outreach Services, or SOS, is an integrated team of peers and clinicians that offers flexible outreach services to homeless or street-involved individuals with addiction, mental health, or concurrent issues by providing supportive nursing and counselling, connections to primary care, and referrals to other services.

The Supported Recovery Room (SRR) is a service that provides a safe and supportive, short-term, non-medical place for people to sleep, rest, and recover from substance use and mental health issues. Individuals are monitored while they rest and are safe from some of the hazards they would face on the street or in other precarious situations.

Both during their stay and following their departure from the SRR, the clinical team supports individuals to access primary care, counselling and treatment services, and social supports that align with their needs. With both a safe place to stay and ongoing support, individuals are provided with opportunities to enhance their wellness and make positive change.

The Counselor/Clinician will be dedicated to the Supported Recovery Room Program. The Counselor/Clinician will engage in support providing immediately needed interventions as well as offering our clients the ability to receive education, referrals and linkages to ongoing community based support services through our partner agencies.

This role assists clients with acquiring and maintaining access to primary care, mental health and addiction supports. They will also support medication management plans and all aspects of daily living. This job entails community education, networking/collaborating with partnering agencies and the general public.

Our SRR staff work with clients who are homeless and/or street-involved and who struggle with chronic addiction and mental health concerns. Clients may also have criminal justice involvement. Evening/night/weekend work is required.

Specific Role Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the referral / intake of new clients: liaise with referrers, assess immediate needs, clarify suitability for service with SRR, make other referrals as appropriate
• Accurately assess, monitor and document re. clients at intake and during their duration of stay within the SRR (includes discharge assessment and documentation)
• Assist clients with interventions to support rest and sleep, when possible
• Deliver assessment, counselling, and needs-based services as required:
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with complex individuals who are reluctant to engage with traditional health services
• Assist individuals to identify realistic and measurable goals to enhance wellness
• Provide coaching, support, and advocacy to facilitate linkages with primary care, mental health / addiction services, and access to basic needs (food, housing, income)
• Work effectively with individuals at all points on the harm reduction continuum, including those seeking abstinence
• Provide educational materials to support the efforts of individuals to cope as effectively as possible with challenges they are experiencing
• When appropriate, provide brief 1:1 counselling and psychoeducational interventions that support progress towards identified goals and enhance overall health and well-being, particularly in relation to addiction and mental health needs
• Utilize evidence-informed practices including (but not limited to) Motivational Interviewing, Stage-Matched Intervention, Trauma-Informed approaches, CBT and DBT)
• Engage in crisis-planning and intervention as required
• Participate in ongoing assessment of safety and risk for clients and staff
• Provide referrals to other community services as required
• Consult and partner with community agencies on behalf of community residents
• Build and maintain community relationships in the areas of addictions and mental health as well as justice, primary care and other related services
• Advocate on behalf of the client to ensure they obtain the supports they need
• Liaise with community agencies and referral sources such as Guelph General Hospital and Guelph Police Services to ensure a steady flow of information and smooth referrals to community supports
• Participate on community committees as appropriate to support local initiatives regarding addictions and mental health issues
• Collect, monitor and enter statistical information regarding SRR clients, per agency protocols
• Maintain detailed records on SRR clients as required
• Complete incident reports as required
• Ensure all necessary reports are completed accurately and in a timely manner
• Assist with evaluation of the program as requested and provide reports regarding program performance management / accountability
• Attend program specific and organizational team meetings as required

Qualifications:

• BSW, MSW, or other relevant post-graduate degree required
• 3-5 years of experience in addictions mandatory, experience in mental health / concurrent disorders and trauma an asset
• Preference will be given to those with direct experience of street-level outreach with the identified population
• Lived experience related to addictions and/or mental health an asset
• CSC Clearance conducted by PWGS Canada
• Must have valid Standard First Aid/CPR level C
• Valid G Driver’s License
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record
• Reliable vehicle and willingness to transport program participants (compensation for travel is provided)
• Must provide proof from insurance provider of 1) at least $2 million in general liability, and 2) have declared scope of vehicle use to the insurance provider

Additional Skills Required:

• Ability to develop collaborative relationships and work cohesively with all persons in a non-judgmental and professional manner
• In depth knowledge and understanding of services in Guelph-Wellington, including knowledge of referral processes and eligibility criteria
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Recovery philosophies including harm reduction
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice in the treatment of concurrent disorders including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Stage-Matched Interventions, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to crises
• Individual counseling, case management, and conflict resolution skills
• Must be able to work independently with minimal direct supervision
• Flexibility and responsiveness to shifting service demands
• Familiarity with the Catalyst and CaseWORKS databases an asset

How to Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to: hr@stonehengetc.com . Applications will be accepted until December 16, 2019

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community accommodates the needs of applicants throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Human Rights legislation. Should you require it, accommodation can be made at any point, upon request.